When it comes to achieving deep learning, who should be most in control of education – the students, the faculty or the administration? How can those most in charge of education effectively achieve their goals?
The term education can be defined in many ways. Being a student, to pursue education can be in different ages and for different reasons. However, to achieve an education that is “as deep and meaningful as possible” can be controlled by both students and faculty. Students pursue education for various reasons, but their attitudes towards learning will separate them from either a “deep learner” or a “surface learner.” As author Bain states in his book, there are less than 30 percent of students who are deep learners when entering college. For example, Sherry Kafka enters college as a standard strategic learner, who aim at attaining top grades rather than truly understanding of the material. After she attends Dr. Baker’s class, she changed into a deep learner who leaves college with a real rich education. No one can guarantee someone’s long term success in any sense of the word, but there are people like Dr. Baker that can help to change your world.
A student has the main responsibility to control their own education; though they cannot do it on their own. Faculty members are the most direct group of people that will be working side by side with the students. Professors are the ones, who have greater subject knowledge, but they are like the coach of a basketball team; without players, their great knowledge will not be useful. Although the players of the team have to put in a certain amount of effort, but without the guide from their coach, they will not be able to achieve their goals effectively. In other words, faculty and students should both have control over education. The best way to achieve deep and meaningful learning is by working together.
Furthermore, Ken Bain argues that the administration should have control of students’ education too. However, their control will not be as helpful compared to the help that the faculty provides. Administration is not the first line of defense. Such as, although they can control the academic level of a school, they will not be the key men like Dr. Baker to change a student from strategic learner to deep learner. Students may not be perfect when they enter the school as freshmen, but they can certainly earn deep and rich education when they graduate.
Student is like a player of a team, as well as the faculty is like the coach and administration like the sponsor. Everyone has its own responsibility, but the one who controls the “wheel” the most is still the player and coach. Therefore, both the students and the faculty should be the ones who are controlling the education so they can achieve deep and meaningful education and goals.
